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Monday, May 5, 2014

On Fad Novels

I've been reading a lot of modern literature lately--actually, mostly pop culture books. It started with The Book Thief and Divergent and then I got a lot of, "Well, if you're reading modern stuff you might as well read The Hunger Games," and it just went from there.

In any case, I've decided to just review them all at one go, since I don't really like/dislike most of the books enough to do full posts on all of them.

The Book Thief

I loved, loved, loved this book. It made me cry harder than practically any other book (the obvious exception being Les Misérables :P), but it made me think and it wasn't all sad. The characters were well-developed, the story well-told, and it made me think. The only problem I had was the language; I could have done without that. :P Definitely one of the best modern novels I've ever read.

Divergent

Ehhhh, these were okay. :P Now I know that this is an extremely popular series, but...I just couldn't get into it. Most of the characters were flat and unlikeable (except for Four; he was awesome), the dystopian world was kind of unbelievable, and the romance was meh. I did enjoy it all right, but I don't plan on reading the rest of the series.

The Uglies series

Uglies, Pretties, Specials, Extras. These books were pretty cool. Admittedly they weren't extremely well-written, but they were engaging. The premise was unique and well-followed-through, and the characters were, for the most part, relate-able and likeable.

The Hunger Games

I liked these books better than Divergent--the characters were more developed, the plot and world made sense, and they actually didn't disturb me as much for whatever reason. But it was very violent and dark, and from what I hear they only get darker as the series goes on. I've read the first and second books and do plan to read the third one, but I'm definitely not a fan.

10 comments:

I like the post title, 'fad' books is a good way to put it. XDI'm really curious to read The Book Thief, it sounds really good from what everyone is saying! The cover alone got me interested. Divergent on the other hand... sounds just like the Hunger Games, and I don't really feel like reading three more books that are along that same thread. :P

The main problem I have with modern novels is the inappropriate content, i.e. cussing and sexual stuffs. :P

I haven't read any of these books, because of stated problem, (actually I've never heard of "the Uglies") and I don't intend to. I know tons and tons people love them, (mostly Divergent and the Hunger Games) but I don't want to sacrifice my morals just to go along with the hype. :)

Well, I adore The Book Thief, feel 'meh' about Divergent, haven't read Uglies (though I kinda want to), and can't read The Hunger Games (ditto). I guess I'm not much for fad books. Give me a good Jane Austen or Charles Dickens novel any day :)

I read all of the Hunger Games and the first two of Divergent. I wish that I had stopped reading the latter series sooner, the sexually immoral content is so very bad. As to other moral dealing with saving others, thinking of others, Tris was MUCH better than the "amoral" (not actually possible but the books were written in this sort of attempt) Katniss who is quite horrible. I love Peeta, Finnick, and Haymitch. Peeta is the most "good" of all the characters, and Finnick and Haymitch are well, Finnick and Haymitch. I though the Book Thief was marvelous except for the language. I consider it and the Harry Potter novels as more than just pop fiction, but as actual juvenile literature because the writing quality is good (Book Thief is more unique and probably better). HG and Divergent are most decidedly NOT well-written in any respect and VERY faddish in EVERY aspect. I like other pop or modern fiction and I call them fluff fiction; it is easy to get addicted to that and I need to limit myself so my reading skills and patience don't degenerate.

I've heard so much about most of these books. I've tried The Hunger Games but couldn't get into it. The Book Thief is on my list, and I read Uglies but gave up after Pretties. Divergent though....I don't think I can ever get myself to pick it up. It is being talked about a lot now, and I don't know why, but something about the sounds of it disturbs me. I don't think I could ever get through it. (Then again, those future books where everything is bleak aren't my kind of thing.) And I know how the series ends...

Yep, I agree. I liked Divergent at first, but disliked it the more I thought of it, to the point where I couldn't finish the series.

The Hunger Games saga is brilliant, and there aren't enough words in the English language to describe how much I love it.

Westerfeld's books were pretty cool as I remember. I read them at least 5 or 6 years ago, although I never finish the series. I read the Midnighters series by him just last month and loved all but the last book.

I did buy an ebook copy of The Book Thief so I should give it a read one of these days. When I have time and my book pile has dwindled. Saw the movie and cried through the last 20 minutes. That was lovely. Not.

About Me

I'm Miss Jane Bennet--on this blog, at least. I am, first and foremost, a born-again Christian, saved by grace. I'm also a Janeite, Mizzer, Tolkiendil, Phantom-fan, &c, &c; you probably get the picture. Among other things, I like to read, write, watch more period dramas than are good for me, and, of course, blog.